5 Air Conditioner Hacks To Save Electricity

Australian summers are notoriously hot and are virtually unbearable. If you hate the heat, you probably belong to the group of Aussies who have at least one air conditioning unit in their home.

So, while there may be some version of hell brewing outdoors, in your home, you may feel like a happy Eskimo living in polar conditions — that is, until you receive your electricity bill.

How to Save Money on Your Aircon Power Cost

If you’re like most people, your electricity bills during the summer months most likely raise your temperature higher than the searing summer heat outside!

However, you don't have to sacrifice your comfort and sanity. You can still enjoy using your precious air conditioner while keeping your monthly energy consumption down to a more reasonable level by using the following 5 clever AC hacks.

1. Set the aircon to dry mode

If your air conditioner has a ‘dry’ or ‘dehumidify’ option, you’re in luck! By setting the aircon to dry, the unit will remove the humidity from the room, making the air more bearable and easier to cool.

The aircon compressor will also run using less power, potentially slashing your electricity consumption by half.

Go ahead and check your air conditioner and look for a water drop symbol and choose that instead of the snowflake symbol for cool. This method is even more effective if you live in humid areas and is a great hack that can potentially save you a lot of money on your electricity bill.

2. Cut the light

Allowing direct sunlight to come through your windows is a great hack to keep your home warm during winter. However, in summer, you definitely don’t need all that additional warmth.

So cut down both visible and UV light by closing your curtains or by installing removable window films or mesh covers. You should also consider installing shades and awnings to further help to block sunlight. This will help to keep your carpet clean as well by reducing sun fading.

Sunlight isn’t the only light you should be concerned with. Indoor lighting also produces heat. So, turn off the lights if you don’t really need them. During the day, turn off lights when natural light is enough; during the night, turn off lights that aren’t being used.

By doing this, you can reduce heat gain and also cut down energy consumption. You will be seriously surprised at how cool you can keep your home by simply keeping the blinds drawn and windows closed.

3. Learn how to maximise airflow

At night, there may be times when you can get by just using regular electric fans. Crack a window open to let the warm air out and let the cool air in. Strategically place a fan opposite the window to maximise airflow. It makes total sense when you think about it!

If you’re using ceiling fans, make sure it’s spinning in the proper direction (you should feel air blowing down from the ceiling fan).

These procedures can help cool the room even before you turn on the air conditioner so that when you do turn on the aircon, it should require less energy to cool the room further. If air conditioning is a must at night, you can set the aircon fan on slowly while letting a fan spread the cool air.

Exhaust fans can also be used to expel hot air, especially in the bathroom and the kitchen. Adding a stand-alone fan while cooking will also help dissipate hot air and humidity.

Alternatively, consider cooking outdoors during the summer to minimise indoor heat. A summer barbecue is a perfect option!

4. Make sure your room is insulated

If your room leaks cool air like a sieve, you are letting money wash down the drain. A poorly insulated room is completely counterproductive as far as an air conditioner is concerned.

Inadequate insulation means that it takes your aircon longer to cool the room while also being unable to keep cool for longer. You practically have your air conditioner doing double duty to keep the room cool.

Studies have shown that 30% of a cooling system’s energy consumption is lost through air ducts. So, make sure you invest in proper insulation and seal air ducts to lock in cool air. Doors and windows should also be closed when running the air conditioner at all times.

5. Go green

Plants and shrubberies by the windows are effective in providing shade and cooling the air as well. Grow annual vines on trellises and put them on walls. This will help to block out the sun and prevent sunlight from heating the walls of the house during summer. You can also add some shade to your air conditioner unit with these plants. A cooler aircon will work better for longer.

The 5 hacks above will go a long way towards helping reduce your power bill, even while still using your air conditioner. Not only that, but it will make your air conditioning unit function even better.

Bonus Hack

Ok, today we are feeling generous and have decided to give you a bonus hack on top of the 5 amazing hacks we have shared in this article. So, here goes!

If your aircon is full of gunk it will never cool to full capacity. Worse still, you could be blowing this gunk and particles across your home. Instead, it will be working twice as hard to cool your room. Professional air conditioning cleaning should be conducted at least once a year. Properly cleaned air conditioning units are more energy-efficient and can slash over 20% from your power consumption. Contact Electrodry to perform your annual air conditioner clean for full efficiency.

Final Thoughts

With summer rapidly approaching, today we have shared with you some useful yet simple air conditioning hacks that you can use during the hot summer months to reduce your electricity bills.

From setting the aircon to dry mode and keeping your curtains drawn through to improving your insulation and cleaning the filters of your aircon, we are confident these hacks will help you to reduce your energy consumption over time and ultimately, save money in the process.

Why Choose to Have Your Aircon Professionally Cleaned by Electrodry

If your air conditioner is well overdue for some thorough cleaning, then get in touch with your friendly Electrodry technician for professional air conditioning cleaning services.

Electrodry's Air Conditioner cleaning removes mould, dirt, and contaminants from your air conditioner making it work more efficiently. Your air conditioner will function effectively, which dramatically increases cooling and airflow while also reducing your electricity bills.

Electrodry is Australia's most trusted and reliable carpet and home cleaning service. We are a family-owned business and have been around since 1983. Electrodry's exclusive carpet cleaning systems, innovative cleaning products, and expert technicians ensure that we always provide the highest possible level of service to our clients.

If you need your air conditioning unit professionally cleaned in preparation for summer, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.